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Americans for Prosperity Issues Statement on Suspension of Opportunity Scholarship Program

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February 21, 2014

Americans for Prosperity Issues Statement on Suspension of Opportunity Scholarship Program

Raleigh, NC – Americans for Prosperity (AFP), one of North Carolina’s leading advocates for educational freedom, issued the following statement in regards to Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood’s decision to issue an injunction that temporarily suspends the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program.
John Dudley, AFP’s North Carolina State Director, had this to say:

“We are deeply disappointed in Judge Hobgood’s decision. It is disappointing that a lawsuit from a special interest group – with a vested financial interest in preventing parents having educational freedom – will prevent thousands of children from attending the school of their parents’ choice in the fall.

“This lawsuit is true demagoguery from a special interest group. The fact that the program will only issue 2,400 scholarships, but already has more than 4,000 applicants, shows the demand that families have for more educational freedom in North Carolina.

“This type of program has been ruled as constitutional in both state and federal courts across the nation. Our hope is that the Opportunity Scholarship Program is reinstated as soon as possible. In the meantime, AFP will continue to fight for educational freedom for North Carolina families.”

The Opportunity Scholarship program was created as part of the North Carolina State Budget in 2013. State lawmakers set aside $10 million in the budget to help pay private school tuition for about 2,500 students, starting in the 2014-15 school year. To be eligible, students must currently be enrolled in public school and be eligible for free or reduced price lunches.
The appropriation for the Opportunity Scholarship program, in the 2014-15 Fiscal Year, makes up one-tenth of one percent of the Education portion of the State’s General Fund.

For further information or an interview, please contact Donald Bryson at DBryson@afphq.org or 919-710-0484

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
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